balkline

[bawk-lahyn]

noun

Sports. (in track events) the starting line.
Billiards.
1. a straight line drawn across the table behind which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game.
2. any of four lines, each near to and parallel with one side of the cushion, that divide the table into a large central panel or section and eight smaller sections or balks lying between these.
3. a balk lying inside one of these sections.
4. balk(def 11).

Origin of balkline

First recorded in 1830–40; balk + line¹